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| Sunday, 6 February 2005 |
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Sports |  |
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Straight talk by Lal Gunesekera Laws MUST be applied strictly for sports to benefit The end of NOC's eight-year reign looks as if it's coming to an end. Between March 31 and May 30, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka, the most sought after body for persons with ambition to get elected (and cling onto) for the perks etc. that these posts offer, has to conduct its annual general meeting, unless (I repeat, unless) the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jeevan Kumaratunga, decides otherwise and gives special permission for the two "Big Wigs" to remain in office for a further four year term. Both NOC President, Hemasiri Fernando, and its Secretary Comdr. H. U. Silva, have now been in 'office' for two terms (eight years), but they felt that they should remain for a longer period and tried their best to amend its constitution. This failed. I understand from reliable sources that Minister Kumaratunga is not going to permit Fernando and Silva to continue in office for another term. The former International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Juan Antonio Samaranch, held onto office for decades until its constitution was changed, which now permits only an eight-year term, though the President could get an extension for four more years. Perhaps, the NOC, were thinking on the same lines. The National Sports Council (NSC) headed by Saman Amarasinghe, handed over to Minister Kumaratunga an amended constitution to the Sports Law brought in by the late K. B. Ratnayake when he was the Minister of Sports, last week and I am told that Minister Kumaratunga has shown his satisfaction and happiness with the new amendments. It is to be presented in Parliament soon and passed into law. The NSC had received the views of several personalities and had even sought legal advice. They have brought the amended Sports Law in line with the constitution of the country. This amended Sports Law applies even to the NOC now and certain high ranking officials who were caught unawares of these new proposals given to the Minister, are a worried lot and are trying their utmost to get copies. It will be interesting to see whether pressure will be brought upon on Minister Kumaratunga in attempts to shelve this report too, as was the case where the Sidath Sri Nandalochana report (and even others before that) were concerned. These amendments stipulate that the three main officials of controlling bodies (President, Secretary, Treasurer) could hold office for only two years and that after every year should conduct their annual general meetings and submit accounts. It clearly states that there will be no "automatic extensions" and that they will have to keep away from holding any lower office for a period of two years. This will bring to an end the "musical chairs" now going on in certain controlling bodies. The NOC in the meantime has not yet decided when they are going to conduct their annual general meeting, but according to its constitution, nominations should reach the NOC one month prior to the event for the committee to peruse them and approval obtained and thereafter send to the members two weeks before the annual general meeting. Down the grapevine comes the news that a burly and controversial soccer administrator is to be brought in as NOC chief. Surely, there must be someone around with honesty and integrity to head a body like the NOC. Bogambara to be leased? The Bogambara Stadium in Kandy is to be leased out by the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority to the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) and negotiations are under way. It is badly neglected at present, and the FFSL it is understood, are determined to bring it upto international standards for all sports (except cricket). I also understand that this Authority are now no longer in debt. They have paid out Rs. 13 million in debt when Gamini Nettikumara took over, and have even streamlined its administrative structure. However, the Authority, are facing one big problem. The Director of the Stadium Complex is allegedly occupying the quarters provided within the Sugathadasa Stadium which is meant for its manager. This person is occupying it "free of charge", although the financial circular of the Ministry of Finance states that any government servant occupying government quarters must pay a nominal sum as rent. This individual is not entitled for government quarters, but his electricity, water and telephone bills are paid by the Authority, who also pays the salaries of his two domestics (sic) as well. Centenary game? Grand plans were under way to celebrate Galle's "Big Match" between Richmond and Mahinda, which some say is the centenary game, while others say it is not. It was to have been a three-day match in March. Some say that this game started in 1905, but it was not played for six years (1910, 1911, 1912, 1916, 1926 and 1942) and that this year's game would have been the 96th. Anyway, this year's game has been postponed indefinitely as the Galle Stadium is not suitable for any cricket after the "Boxing Day" tsunami and no other suitable ground is found in the area. Even the Organising Committee has been disbanded. But could someone clarify whether the Richmond vs Mahinda game this year would have been the centenary tussle between the two schools? |
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